Summer Days 2022: Green, digital, but also social | Editorial of the Secretary General Klaus Heeger

I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” -Jimmy Dean (1928-2010)

We are living through the first moments of a new era for the world: a new era for Europe. After 2 years of experiencing a catastrophic pandemic, our societies have started taking tentative steps towards a new normal which is here to stay. At the same time, the war in Ukraine, a war in Europe, has already heavily disrupted global geopolitical stability and is expected to leave its mark on the international community for good. The result? A Europe in transition in a rapidly changing world.

The European Union has long recognised that in order to deal with these unprecedented challenges of our time, we need deep structural, economic and social reforms that will help us to build resilience and achieve far-reaching sustainability. In its attempts to mitigate the impact of these multiple crises, protect its citizens from current and future risks, and preserve its role as a global leader, the EU has adopted a series of ambitious plans mainly focusing on our energy autonomy, digital transformation and the green transition.

While our societies undoubtedly need to adapt to current tensions and shifting needs, it is of the utmost importance to identify the potential effects that these plans will have on employment, workers and citizens at large and, of course, make sure that they are socially fair and do not leave anyone behind. Indeed, if correctly implemented, these interventions can benefit workers, citizens and businesses but we also know from our experience that the professional, sectoral, regional, national and international competition following these changes may lead to a race to the bottom and not to the top.

This is exactly why we must strengthen the voice of workers and citizens and involve them in the processes that will determine their future. Radically reforming our societies will be only successful if the needs and demands of workers and citizens are given due consideration. As Sara Rinaudo, Chairwoman of CESI’s Working Group on the Future of Work, states in her draft discussion paper ‘Priorities of independent trade unions for socially fair green-digital transition processes in the European labour markets and economies’, these transitions must be done ‘with’ the workers and not ‘to’ them. Otherwise, they will not be sustainable. And for this, we need strong representatives of the different interest groups and, of course, strong and efficient trade unions.

On the occasion of our upcoming flagship event ‘Summer Days 2022’, we have invited a number of policy-makers, experts and representatives from European think tanks, trade unions and employer organisations, European and international institutions as well as civil society to discuss possible ways to ensure that the ambitious transitions towards a more green and digital Europe happen in a socially fair way. Via keynote speeches, plenary debates and a series of interactive workshops, the participants will have in-depth discussions on the socially-friendly supporting elements needed for the transitions and the role of social partners and trade unions in this regard.

Please join us in the debates at our Summer Days on June 30 and July 1 and register now!

Because… we may not be able to change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our sails to always reach our destination.